Smoke alarm provision

A smoke alarm is your early warning system, which will detect and alert you to a fire.

If there is a fire in your home, a smoke alarm will give you valuable time to escape. The noise of your smoke alarm should alert you even when you are asleep. The majority of deaths in house fires happen between 10pm and 8am.

• You can buy a smoke alarm from most DIY, electrical or hardware stores and most supermarkets.
• A smoke alarm can cost as little as £3.00
• When fitting smoke alarms follow the manufacturers instructions
• The best place to put a smoke alarm is on the ceiling, as near to the centre of the room as possible
• The smoke alarm should be placed at least 30 centimetres way from any light or wall
• Do not fit smoke alarms in the kitchen or bathroom where they can be accidentally triggered
• The more smoke alarms you have fitted in your house the better protected you will be
• Make sure you have at least one smoke alarm per level
• The hallway and the landing are ideal locations
• Make sure you look after your smoke alarm
• Test your alarm once a week
• Change the battery once a year (unless it is a 10-year alarm)
• Replace your smoke alarm unit every 10 years

• Get everyone together and get out
• If there is a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor where the air is cleaner
• Do not go back in your house, not even to collect valuables or pets
• Dial 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service. Call from a mobile phone, a neighbour’s phone or a phone box

Smoke alarms for the home www.communities.gov.uk Provided by the CLG This leaflet is only available in English

Community Fire Safety
01743 260 260